‘Lucky Leu’ leucothoe shrub from Bailey Nurseries untouched by deer

This ‘Lucky Leu’ leucothoe shrub has seen zero deer damage, a miracle in my garden!

I was so pleasantly surprised to see ‘Lucky Leu’ leucothoe (Leucothoe axillaris 'Bailcothoe'') untouched by the deer. It’s part of the First Editions collection from Bailey Nurseries, a large commercial plant breeder and supplier.

I’ve never grown this small shrub before and actually had to look up the pronunciation when discussing the variety on the radio.

‘Lucky Leu’ has glossy green foliage, will get about three to five feet tall and wide, with reddish new foliage growth in spring and fragrant white flowers too. The only worry is that it’s hardy to zone 6. Even though most of Western Pennsylvania is in zone 6, a polar vortex can be devastating.

So far so good during this mild winter (so far), anything that the deer walk by is OK by me. Three young does and eating anything I don’t spray in a timely manner.